What Is Myrrh? Other Names: Abyssinian Myrrh, Amyris kataf, Commiphora

What is Myrrh?

This post was written with Consensus AI Academic Search Engine – please read our Disclaimer at the end of this article. Myrrh, derived from the resin of the Commiphora species, has been utilized for centuries in traditional medicine across various cultures. Known for its aromatic properties, myrrh has been employed in religious ceremonies, embalming, and as a therapeutic agent. This article delves into the multifaceted applications of myrrh, highlighting its medicinal benefits and ongoing research into its efficacy and safety. Other names include: Abyssinian Myrrh, African Myrrh, Amyris kataf, Arabian Myrrh, Bal, Balsamodendron Myrrha, Balsamodendrum habessinicum, Balsamodendrum myrrha, Bdellium, Bol, Bola, Commiphora, Commiphora abyssinica, Commiphora erythraea, Commiphora habessinica, Commiphora kataf, Commiphora madagascariensis, Commiphora molmol, Commiphora myrrha, Common Myrrh, Didin, Didthin, Gomme de Myrrhe, Gum Myrrh, Heerabol, Hemprichia erythraea, Mirra, Mirrh, Mo Yao, Murrah, Myrrh Gum, Myrrha, Myrrhe, Myrrhe Africaine, Myrrhe Amère, Myrrhe d’Arabie, Myrrhe Bisabol, Myrrhe Douce, Myrrhe de Somalie, Myrrhe du Yémen, Opopanax, Resina Commiphorae, Somalien Myrrh, Yemen Myrrh.

Historical and Traditional Uses of Myrrh

Myrrh has a storied history in traditional medicine, particularly within Persian and Middle Eastern cultures. It has been documented for its use in treating a variety of ailments, including digestive issues, infections, and as a uterine stimulant1. Traditional Persian manuscripts also suggest its application in wound healing, a practice that continues among local midwives in Iran2.

Medicinal Properties and Applications

Uterine Stimulant and Abortion

Recent clinical studies have explored myrrh’s potential as a uterine stimulant. A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial demonstrated that myrrh significantly reduced the size of retained products of conception (RPOC) in patients with incomplete abortion, suggesting its efficacy and safety as an alternative treatment option1.

Wound Healing

Myrrh has shown promising results in enhancing wound healing. A study involving primiparous women revealed that myrrh-based sitz baths significantly improved episiotomy wound healing compared to frankincense and betadine treatments2. This supports traditional claims of myrrh’s wound healing properties.

Renal Protection

Myrrh’s nephroprotective effects have been investigated in the context of ischemia/reperfusion (I/R)-induced renal injury. Research indicates that myrrh essential oil can mitigate renal damage by reducing oxidative stress, inflammation, and apoptosis, thereby preserving renal function3.

Antischistosomal Activity

Despite its marketed use as an antischistosomal agent, studies have cast doubt on myrrh’s efficacy in treating Schistosoma mansoni infections. Clinical trials reported low cure rates and minimal egg reduction, questioning its effectiveness compared to standard treatments like praziquantel4.

Oral Health

Myrrh has also been evaluated for its role in managing minor recurrent aphthous stomatitis (MiRAS). Clinical trials with myrrh-based gels showed significant pain reduction, although aloe vera was more effective in reducing ulcer size and erythema5.

Analgesic Effects

The analgesic properties of myrrh, attributed to its bioactive sesquiterpenes, have been validated in clinical settings. Myrrh extract, particularly MyrLiq®, has demonstrated significant pain alleviation across various conditions, including headaches, joint pain, and menstrual cramps6.

Gastrointestinal Health

A combination of myrrh, chamomile, and coffee charcoal has been studied for maintaining remission in ulcerative colitis. This herbal preparation showed potential anti-inflammatory and antidiarrhoeal benefits, suggesting its utility as an adjunct therapy7.

Hepatocarcinogenesis

Myrrh’s therapeutic effects extend to cancer research, where it has been shown to attenuate diethylnitrosamine (DEN)-induced hepatocarcinogenesis in rats. Myrrh treatment resulted in reduced liver enzyme levels, oxidative stress markers, and histopathological lesions, indicating its potential as a complementary therapy in liver cancer8.

Immune Modulation

Myrrh’s impact on leukocyte levels has been studied in the context of gastric ulcers and skin injuries. Myrrh supplementation was found to elevate white blood cell counts before and during the healing process, suggesting its role in enhancing immune responses9.

Drug Interactions

Caution is advised when using myrrh concurrently with certain medications. For instance, myrrh has been shown to significantly reduce the bioavailability of cyclosporine A, an immunosuppressant used post-organ transplantation, indicating potential drug-herb interactions10.

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Adverse Effects of Myrrh

General Safety and Lack of Serious Adverse Effects

In a study on patients with incomplete abortion, myrrh was found to be effective and safe, with no serious drug-related adverse effects reported1.

Myrrh mouthwash used post-tooth extraction showed no side effects, allergies, or signs of toxicity2.

Potential for Uterine Stimulation

Traditional Persian manuscripts suggest that myrrh may act as a uterine stimulant, potentially causing complete abortion, although this has not been conclusively verified in modern studies1.

Impact on Renal Function

Myrrh essential oil demonstrated protective effects against renal ischemia/reperfusion-induced injury in rats, suggesting antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-apoptotic properties. However, the study did not report any adverse effects related to renal function3.

Effects on Liver and Genotoxicity

In mice, myrrh, when combined with turmeric, showed protective effects against liver oxidative damage and genotoxicity induced by lead acetate. The study did not report specific adverse effects of myrrh alone but highlighted its protective role in reducing oxidative stress and genotoxicity4.

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How has Myrrh Improved Patient Outcomes?

Wound Healing and Inflammation Reduction

Myrrh significantly improved postoperative surgical-site edema, tenderness, and socket size after tooth extraction, with no reported side effects or toxicity1.

Myrrh enhanced episiotomy wound healing in primiparous women more effectively than frankincense or betadine, as measured by the REEDA scale3.

Myrrh supplementation increased white blood cell levels before and during healing from gastric ulcers or skin injuries, suggesting enhanced immune response and wound healing7.

Treatment of Incomplete Abortion

Myrrh was effective and safe in reducing the size of retained products of conception (RPOC) and increasing the rate of successful complete abortion in patients with incomplete abortion2.

Renal Protection

Myrrh essential oil demonstrated protective effects against renal ischemia/reperfusion-induced injury by reducing oxidative stress, inflammation, and apoptosis, and improving renal function markers6.

Cancer Therapy

In patients with metastatic solid tumors unresponsive to standard therapies, a combination of Aloe arborescens and Myrrh showed a higher disease control rate compared to Aloe alone, suggesting potential antitumor benefits4.

Schistosomiasis Treatment

Myrrh showed low efficacy in treating Schistosoma mansoni infections, with significantly lower cure rates and egg reduction compared to praziquantel5.

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Myrrh Mechanisms of Action

Antioxidant and Anti-inflammatory Effects

Myrrh essential oil reduces oxidative stress by decreasing lipid peroxidation and increasing antioxidant enzyme activities (SOD, CAT, GPx) and GSH content. It also downregulates TLR4/NFκB gene expression, leading to reduced inflammation and apoptosis1 4 5.

Analgesic Properties

Myrrh extract, particularly with high furanodiene content, has significant analgesic effects, alleviating various types of pain such as headache, joint pain, and menstrual cramps3.

Reproductive Health

Myrrh extract improves reproductive parameters in diabetic rats by enhancing sperm concentration, motility, and viability, and by boosting sex hormone levels. These effects are attributed to its antioxidant and anti-apoptotic properties4.

Hepatoprotective Effects

Myrrh shows potential in treating hepatocarcinogenesis by reducing liver enzyme levels, oxidative stress markers, and inflammatory mediators, while improving histopathological conditions5.

Wound Healing

Myrrh water extract promotes the proliferation of human dermal fibroblasts, accelerates the cell cycle, and upregulates type III collagen mRNA expression, which may contribute to enhanced wound healing6.

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Common Complaints Associated with Myrrh Use

Safety and Adverse Effects

In a clinical study evaluating the efficacy and safety of myrrh for treating incomplete abortion, no serious drug-related adverse effects were reported by patients in both the myrrh and placebo groups1.

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